Laura J. Downing

Congratulations, Doug, on your retirement! It’s hard to believe that it’s 25 years since I was last affiliated with UBC. The years I spent there seem like they should be more recent because they were so formative for me, and not just because I was at the beginning of my career when all experiences were formative. I was incredibly lucky to have had you for a colleague at that early stage. I still remember many of the conversations we had about both linguistics and teaching, and your approach to both research and teaching had a lasting impact on me. Beginning with teaching, I learned from you the value of a Socratic approach, guiding students to think through analyses for themselves rather than teaching through lectures that neatly summarized given solutions – recent or classic – to phonological questions. Even though I would like to think that your teaching style reinforced an existing philosophy and inclination, that reinforcement was crucial.

Our research looked at different phonological issues, for the most part – prosody for me rather than segments and features for you – so your influence on my work was more indirect. Chuck Kisseberth, my PhD supervisor, had already made me notice, before I got to know you, that, in your work with Diana the two of you took a totally fresh look at issues that interested you, and you pursued them methodically to their logical conclusion. I learned better and better what that meant as my own career went along, and I came to admire and appreciate more and more the creativity and boldness and stubborn confidence in challenging mainstream thinking that lies behind your work. Those qualities have been inspirational.
Finally, on a personal note, the years I spent at UBC were oases in a difficult time in my private and professional life. Doug, you and Anne-Marie made me feel so supported and befriended then. I have never forgotten, and I will always be grateful.

To the future!
Laura